The trouble with Quidditch

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 169025

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > *My* issue with quidditch is the lack of any sort 
> > of bench.  I mean, even if players aren't allowed to
> > trade out *during* a game, why not have fully 
> > trained substitutes ready to go if something happens
> > pre-game?  Though really, why no substitutions? Is 
> > that some sort of wacky British thing? 

> >>Bart: 
> > I'm trying to remember anything that indicates that
> > a disabled player cannot be replaced. Not going back 
> > through the books, it seems to me that every time a 
> > player was disabled, the game ended before anything 
> > could be done in the way of substitutions (or even a 
> > "time-out").

Betsy Hp:
I checked and during the quidditch world cup the Irish seeker, Lynch, 
got hurt mid-game.  There was a time-out while medi-wizards checked 
him over and the game went on for a while afterwards.  That's one 
place I can think of where, if substitutions were allowed, one would 
have taken place.

> >>bboyminn:
> I wonder if it isn't a case of 'play what you brought'?
> In other words, you can only play the team you brought 
> to the field that day.

Betsy Hp:
That's what it seems to be, yes.

> >>bboyminn:
> Based on what we find in the books, it seems reserve players are   
> allowed; in other word, the second string.

Betsy Hp:
Yeah, but they're weird about it.  For example, Dean *only* practices 
with the team *after* Katie is hurt.  IOWs, there's not really an 
official group of reserve players.  Harry has to scramble to find 
replacements.  And the replacement is obviously going to be way 
behind in terms of working with the team.

> >>bboyminn:
> <snip>
> As to why each team doesn't have a second string of
> reserve players, it seems very hard with enrollments
> at Hogwarts so low, to put together a good team, much
> less come up with a second team of reserves.

Betsy Hp:
I'm not saying they'd have a *deep* bench.  But why not have anyone 
who's interested (and as it's the only sport going, I'd imagine quite 
a few would be interested) be on the team as reserves?  That way 
you've got folks in training who know the plays, and the captain has 
a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses.  It'd also help train 
up younger students for the next year when older students graduate.

> >>bboymin::
> Also, if I am right, the team would be able to 
> substitute and train a replacement player, if the 
> injured player goes down well before the next match.

Betsy Hp:
Wait, how?  Are you saying that an injured team is allowed to delay 
their next match?  (This could be the way it works, I honestly can't 
recall.)

> >>bboyminn:
> So, there really is not need to complicate training
> by including reserve players. The captain just
> concentrates on his main team, and keeps in mind
> other classmates who flew well in try-outs should
> he ever need to bring one of them in.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I totally disagree.  The captain is supposed to just note that *way* 
back in the fall, so and so was a good flyer?  What if they'd 
practiced all summer and then never touched a broom after not making 
the cut? Suddenly that okay player isn't so okay anymore.  Also, the 
chasers should work as a pretty tight unit.  Ditto the beaters.  
Throwing a different player into the mix too close to game day could 
totally throw off an entire section of your team.

Much better, IMO, to have your backups around and training with the 
main team so any subsitutions occur as seamlessly as possible.  Plus 
there's the added benefit of perhaps using a different team makeup 
based on the team you're going up against.

And yes, I fully recognize that I'm taking the game far too 
seriously. <g>

Betsy Hp